As the newest member of the Belfast Healthy Cities team, I’ve spent the past few months getting to grips with concepts that, while familiar in principle, are now framed within new language and international frameworks. Before taking up this role, I was aware of Belfast Healthy Cities’ work, particularly its impact at a local level, but I hadn’t fully appreciated our role on the global stage.
That changed when I had the privilege of attending the WHO European Healthy Cities Network Annual Business Meeting in Bursa, Türkiye. It was a unique opportunity to see, first-hand, how cities across Europe and beyond are tackling the same challenges we face in Belfast. For me, the conference brought a moment of clarity about what it truly means to be part of the Healthy Cities Network.
Bursa was an inspiring setting for a very well-organised and engaging three-day event. Through plenary sessions, workshops, presentations, site visits and informal moments, we explored everything from Health in All Policies to climate resilience, equity, and urban innovation. I was especially proud that Belfast Healthy Cities featured prominently with two oral presentations and a poster on display.
I was also delighted to personally present our Greening the City initiative as part of the conference. Having previously sat on the advisory group for the programme, I’ve long felt connected to this work, and presenting it on an international platform was both exciting and affirming. The spotlight opened the door for questions, conversations, and collaboration – something invaluable for someone still settling into the role of Healthy City Coordinator!
With 88 WHO designated cities and over 1,400 cities involved through National Networks, it can be difficult to lift your head from local delivery and grasp where you fit in a system so large. But being in Bursa, meeting fellow Coordinators, attending the Healthy Cities Coordinator lunch, and connecting in workshops and social settings helped demystify the network and reminded me that this isn’t just a concept. It’s a living, breathing collaboration of people all working toward the same vision.
While virtual meetings are great for keeping the wheels turning, nothing replaces the in-person experience for building relationships and feeling part of a wider movement.
One of the most thought-provoking sessions I attended was a workshop on the Wellbeing Economy, led by Mads Falkenfleth from the Wellbeing Economy Lab in Copenhagen. The model reimagines success not by GDP, but by how well we promote human and planetary wellbeing. It challenges the idea that “green growth” alone is sufficient, and instead asks us to go upstream, addressing systemic issues rather than continuing to deal with their symptoms.
As someone passionate about equity, this shift in thinking felt deeply important. It provides a clearer path to long-term change that benefits both people and the planet.
This year’s conference theme “Resilient Healthy Cities: Sustainable Urban Futures for All” was evident in every session. I was particularly inspired by a project presented by the city of Amaroussion in Greece. Their Socio-Bee initiative used citizen science to monitor air pollution through community engagement, with volunteers taking on roles like Queen Bees and Worker Bees to reflect different levels of involvement. The model reminded me of our own Walking Bus initiative—empowering citizens to understand and contribute to their environment.
From discussions about the Place Standard Tool and One Health, to digital infrastructure and green space innovation, there was far more than I can cover here. But several key takeaways have stayed with me:
I’m proud to be part of a network that puts people, equity, and health at the heart of everything it does and I’m excited to see how the conversations started in Bursa will grow in the year ahead.
